Getting Ready for Baby - Cloth Diapers

What they say is true...you start nesting in the second trimester. Maybe because you have more energy and less queasiness? Maybe because it's feeling real...you are having a baby in a few months! Who knows?! But it's kicked in full force for me!

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We are planning to cloth diaper and I just received my stash this week:

-36 Oso Cozy DSQ Unbleached Indian Cotton Prefolds in Infant and Premium Sizes

(from MomsMilkBoutique.com)

-Various Diaper Covers (1 newborn Bummis Super Whisper Wrap, 3 Thirsties in XS, 3 Thirsties in S as well as one Duo Wrap in size 1, and 3 Duo Wraps in size 2).

(from MomsMilkBoutique.com)

-4 sets of Gerber Diaper Pins (yellow and white)

(from the local grocery store)

All I need now is some Snappis and maybe some wool covers and additional inserts for nighttime. And a diaper pail (we plan to use a white plastic kitchen trash bin) and a couple of liners. But for the most part (and about $200) we are pretty set for diapering our LO until she is using the potty. And if we maintain the stash in good condition, I hope to use it for Baby #2 as well.

I bought mainly gender neutral colored covers (green, yellow, aqua, white) but couldn't resist a couple of more girlie ones (like lavender and raspberry). Aren't they cute?

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My diapers arrived brand-new, so I needed to prep them. I followed the boiling instructions I found at DiaperSwappers.com. But I used Ultra Ivory Soap instead of Dawn. It took about 2 hours of boiling 4 at a time in my largest stock pot, for 10 minutes each, replacing the water every other group. Then I ran them through a hot water cycle without detergent and dried them on high (not maximum) heat last night. I tossed them into the wash this morning with some Ecos Free and Clear Liquid Detergent (about a tablespoon), again on hot, and they are fluffing up on the dryer as I write. For more about which detergents to use on cloth diapers, check out this awesome chart.

my mom snapped this pic of DH and I boiling the diapers

I decided to go with something I can readily buy, locally, and for a decent price. I got the Ecos F&C at a local health food store for $13.00 and it says it will do 100 loads, but with CDs you actually use less than the recommended amounts, so I am sure I will get way more than 100 loads out of one bottle.

Once they're dry, they'll be folded into thirds and doubled in half and kept in this cute cloth covered storage bin that I bought at Target for $10.00. (edited to add: they all fit! 3 rows of 12 did the trick!)

I snagged Lionheart Ultimate Wipes Warmer for $6 at the Just Between Friends consignment sale and do need to get some cloth wipes (they're on my registry). I'll probably make my own solution or go with one of the more popular premade ones, like Kissiluvs Diaper Potion Concentrate. We will probably just start with warm water and take it from there, if need be.

If you're considering cloth diapering or just curious about why it's become a trend in recent years, there are plenty of sites out there. Here's a great one to start you on your way. This one and this one too. For us, it comes down to economics and ecology. We'll still have to use disposables a couple of days a week once our LO is in daycare (the place we have chosen doesn't allow CDs), but other than that, it's cloth all the way for our baby's bum!